Linkin Park Fan Corner and our dear friends Linkin Park Live lovingly invite you to a different approach of our usual listening parties as we come closer to two years since July 20th.
July. Breathe. Remember we don’t have to move on from our loss, we have to move forward with our loss. Very proud of you all, and I know he is, too.
This tweet brought out a few replies that made me lose a few breaths, that I just didn’t expect underneath it all- “will always be the day before my birthday…”
“honestly, trying to celebrate my bday every year since then is the hardest part…”
“happened on my birthday- trying to take care!”
With much anxiety, I decided to ask directly, “Who has a birthday July 19th through July 21st…?” Seventy-six responses too many, had my heart aching; and I should have felt it sooner. I myself, like a few fans also stated, have a birth date of the 20th in another month… and that alone, being on the 20th of the month, is hard. So, why did it take me so long to realize how it must feel for those born July 20th? Born that week? That month?
This all connects to the global memorials, as well: I’ve had fans, many previous organizers of memorials, reach out in shame and sadness that they couldn’t put together a memorial this year. That they were taking it harder than last year, and they felt guilt.
Please don’t.
With all my heart, I believe, the shock is a little less, and comprehension of our new reality is a little more. And, that’s hard.
It’s not that the world has forgotten or moved on; it’s that, it’s more real now. The denial is a little weaker. It’s no longer just the anniversary of his passing for some, it’s now a day they used to celebrate, as well. It’s lacing into our lives more now, and it’s becoming something we are carrying with everything else now.
So, please join us no matter how far in the waves you are- if you need to be alone, need to be with friends, want to be with friends only online, if you want to be with friends personally and online. If you jam Linkin Park every day, some days, or still can’t. If you have a July birthday or not. Join us as we try to find a different pace in the waves this year.
At 1PM PST on July 18th, we will press play on a playlist together, and celebrate together. Because, as Anna Shinoda lovingly shared:
So I want everyone with birthdays on or around July 20th to remember it is important to celebrate your life and to allow yourself to feel joy. It is healthy and needed. Living life and feeling joy is a way to #MakeChesterProud.
— Anna Shinoda (@AnnaShinoda) July 2, 2019
We will be giving more information as the day comes closer. We will have little gifts. We will be using Spotify. It will be on Twitter as other Listening Parties.
We can’t wait to see your smiles. I know July 20th will be hard, but we will enter it together and #MakeChesterProud.
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